A Critical Review of Amalaki- (Emblica Officinalis Gaertn.) in Classical Texts and Promote its Use in Our Life

Abstract

The drug Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis Gaertn.) belongs to family Euphorbiaceae, is used since ancient time for therapeutic purposes. It has been used in the traditional Indian medicine of ‘Ayurveda’ for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Amalaki has five Rasa (taste) except Lavana (salt), It is mainly Amla Ras Pradhan. Its Vipaka (taste after digestion) is Madhura (sweet) and Veerya (potency) is Sheeta (cool). Because of these qualities, the plant performs various pharmacological actions such as anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity, immunomodulatory activity, anti-tussive, antiulcer activity, anticancerous activity, anti-diarroheal and spasmolytic, antidiabetic, in reducing cholesterol and dyslipidemia, antimicrobial, anti-asthmatic. It helps to improve physical and mental health, prevents degeneration, extends youth and delays aging or rather reverse the aging process. Various parts of Amalaki has been described in morphology like root, stem, leaf, seed, flower and fruit. Synonyms and their interpretation, Vernacular names, Rasapanchaka and Karma of Amalaki in various Nighantus (Dhanwantri Nighantu, Shodhal Nighantu, Madanpal Nighantu, Bhavprakasha Nighantu, Kaiyadeva Nighantu and Raj Nighantu) has been described. Classical categorization of plant Amalaki in Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya has been explained according to its Karma and this paper presented a comprehensive review of Emblica Officinalis Gaertn